Adhomuka Vrikshasana

Adhomuka Vrikshasana

Handstand

A handstand is the act of supporting the body in a stable, inverted vertical position by balancing on the hands. In a basic handstand the body is held straight with arms and legs fully extended, with hands spaced approximately shoulder-width apart. There are many variations of handstands, but in all cases a handstand performer must possess adequate balance and upper body strength.

Procedure:

1. Find an open wall space thats at least a few feet wide, and set up your yoga mat right in front of that wall. (You dont technically need to practice handstand on a yoga mat, but the traction that the sticky mat offers your hands can help set up a stable foundation for the pose.)
2. Come into downward facing dog with your hands about a foot from the wall. Make sure that your fingers are spread evenly apart and that you can feel every single knuckle, and especially your index finger knuckles, rooting down into the earth. Every intelligent yoga pose starts with a grounded foundation (i.e. part of your body that touches the floor), and handstand is no exception! Hug your forearms toward one another without moving your hands and feel the muscles of your arms isometrically fire up.
3. Walk your feet about halfway toward your hands. Identify which of your legs is your dominant leg for most people, this will be the same leg as your dominant hand. (Eventually you

Benefits:

Handstand pose is a challenging inversion with many benefits:
Decompresses the spine
Strengthens the shoulders, arms, and wrists
Therapeatuic for headaches, as well as mild depression
Improves sense of balanceHandstand Pose: Adho Mukha Vrkasana Cautions

Precautions:

Since this asana is not very easy to perform, especially for beginners, a few handstand precautions to keep in mind. These handstand postures requires good arm balance and therefore to begin with, practice with the support of a wall to avoid toppling over and getting hurt. Practice this posture only 3-4 times initially, until shoulder strength increases.
Pregnant and menstruating women should avoid performing this asana completely.
People who have existing shoulder, back and neck injuries or suffer from problems like high blood pressure, heart problems and headaches should also avoid this asana.